Some 60 powerboats from throughout the United States have come here to race. Races are scheduled for noon today and Sunday on a 5-mile course just off Fort Lauderdale Beach between the Radisson Bahia Cabana and Sunrise Boulevard.

According to race director Michael Coviello and competition director John Kenyon, the boats can handle choppy seas and rain. The primary concern is whether the rescue helicopters that patrol the race course are able to fly.

"We will run a safe race," said Kenyon, an official with the host Offshore Power Boat Racing Association and the sanctioning American Power Boat Association. "It's necessary to have proper visibility for our rescue helicopters to be able to respond to an accident. They're first to respond and they're supported by our rescue boats.

"Then there's lightning. We certainly don't want to run in that, for obvious reasons. Sea conditions will also be a factor. These boats are designed to run in 3- to 4-foot seas."

Coviello said officials have been monitoring satellite weather images as well as radio and television weather reports.

"But we can't invest too much time worrying about it," he said. "We'll just have to play it by ear."

If there is a break in the weather today, the race will go on as scheduled. If the weather is predicted to clear in the afternoon, the start could be delayed. If the weather is poor, today's race could be held on Sunday.

"The weather is supposed to be better Sunday," Kenyon said. "Maybe we'll run two races and start a little earlier.

"We've had all kinds of situations where it turns to holy hell and the next day it's beautiful. This whole weather system might accelerate through the area and we might have a perfect afternoon. As long as we can have a safe race and run it in a timely manner, we'll do it."

Kenyon said that if conditions are too poor to race Sunday, the race would not be able to be run Monday.

"If at all possible, we'll run a shorter storm course," he said.

Steve Waters can be reached at swaters@sun-sentinel.com or at 954-356-4648.